Critics agree this debut album is one of the top records of the 1990s, and in 2002 readers of Rolling Stone ranked the album the 21st greatest of all time. If you're a longtime Seattleite, you may remember that in fall 1994, the band was scheduled for an in-store performance at the Tower Records at Fifth Avenue North and Mercer Street, which is where the QFC is now. They ended up not playing, but stayed around for hours signing autographs and talking with the roughly 350 fans who showed up. Can you imagine if Weezer did that now? The record store would be packed. (Album cover)

One of the all-time greatest live bands, Dave Matthews Band could still pack a stadium playing just the tracks form this album. This is the disc with “Satellite,” and “Ants Marching,” but also has other gems including “Warehouse,” “Jimi Thing,” and “The Best of What’s Around.” They had released an earlier album, “Remember Two Things,” but this was their first major-label release. People who graduated high school in the 1990s will likely remember how the early disc was all black with white letters, and later pressings were multi-colored. (Album cover)

The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die: This debut album was... Photo-4157716.56462 - Times Union

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Beastie Boys – “Ill Communication:”

Is there a better video than “Sabotage?” That song was on the list of Rolling Stone’s all-time greatest songs, and “Ill Communication” went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart when it was released in 1994. It also had “Sure Shot” and “Get It Together.” (Album cover)

The breakout Seattle band released their first album, Bleach, in 1989 and their first major-label record Nevermind in 1991. But this live disc  in which the bucked the Unplugged trend and played almost none of their big songs  is considered by some to be the all-time best Unplugged performance. It also was the bands first official live album. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and had sold 5 million copies by 1997. (Album cover)

This debut album went platinum in the U.S. and gold in Canada, and peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Some music critics said its the best or at least one of the best hip hop albums of all time. (Album cover)

This fourth studio album by the Seattle band included “Spoonman,” “Black Hole Sun,” My Wave,” “The Day I Tried to Live” and “Fell on Black Days.” The 1994 release brought a Best Rock Album Grammy nomination, went platinum five times and was ranked at No. 336 on Rolling Stones 500 all-time greatest albums list. (Album cover)

This isn’t the one with Wonderwall, but this debut disc is considered the best 1990s albums by the British press and Rolling Stone put it at No. 78 on their list of the 100 best albums of the 1990s. (Album cover)

Oasis – “Definitely Maybe:” This isn’t the one with... Photo-4157725.56462 - Times Union

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Green Day – “Dookie:”

This 1994 album was so huge it charted in seven countries and has tracks the band is still known for, including “Basket Case,” When I Come Around,” and “Longview.” Rolling Stone put it at No. 193 on its 500 all-time greatest albums list. (Album cover)

Green Day – “Dookie:” This 1994 album was so huge it... Photo-4157726.56462 - Times Union

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Pearl Jam – “Vitology:”

The third studio album from the Seattle band was first released on vinyl, and “Spin the Black Circle” was the first single, released as the A-side of a 45. Rolling Stone listed this at No. 485 on their 500 greatest all-time albums list and has gone five-times platinum. For non-Ten Club members, this is the record with “Better Man,” and “Nothingman.” (Album cover)

Pearl Jam – “Vitology:” The third studio album from the... Photo-4157727.56462 - Times Union

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Tom Petty – “Wildflowers:”

This 1994 album included “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” “Wildflowers,” and “You Wreck Me.” Remember when MTV played a censored version “You Don’t Know How it Feels” covering up the line “Let’s roll another joint?” (Album cover)

The Beatles - “Live at the BBC:” These tracks had been... Photo-4157729.56462 - Times Union

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Beck – “Mellow Gold:”

This was the third studio album form Beck, but his big breakout record, thanks in part to airplay by influential disc jockey Marco Collins on 107.7 The End in Seattle. The disc, which peaked at No. 13 in the United States, begins with “Loser.” (Album cover)

Beck – “Mellow Gold:” This was the third studio album form... Photo-4157730.56462 - Times Union

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Blink-182 – “Cheshire Cat:”

This debut album was released on an independent label and it was later releases brought the band major awards, but this record was part of the punk rock breakthrough that eventually led to Blink-182 becoming a household name in the late 1990s. (Album cover)

This one debuted at No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. This disc had You Got Me Rocking and Love Is Strong. (Album cover)

The Rolling Stones - Voodoo Lounge:

This one debuted at No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. This disc had You Got Me Rocking and Love Is Strong. (Album cover)

The Rolling Stones - Voodoo Lounge: This one debuted at No.... Photo-4157738.56462 - Times Union

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REM – “Monster:”

This 1994 album was marked by “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth,” which debuted at No . 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also was the band’s first release since 1992 and led to their first concert tour since 1989. (Album cover)

REM – “Monster:” This 1994 album was marked by “What’s... Photo-4157739.56462 - Times Union

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Soul Coughing – “Ruby Vroom:”

You probably know them for “Circles” or the intro to “Super Bon Bon,” but the band earned acclaim first with this debut release on Slash/Warner Brothers Records. It included “Screenwriter’s Blues,” “Janine” and started with “Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago.” (Album cover)

It also was a great year for movies in 1994 with “Pulp Fiction,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Clerks,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” The Lion King,” Speed,” and “Forrest Gump.” The “Forrest Gump” soundtrack had dozens of classic American songs and – in the era before CD burners – sold millions of copies. (Album cover)

Was Usher really around in 1994? He was, and Sean “P Ditty” Combs was a producer on this debut disc. (Album cover)

Usher - “Usher:”

Was Usher really around in 1994? He was, and Sean “P Ditty” Combs was a producer on this debut disc. (Album cover)

Usher - “Usher:” Was Usher really around in 1994? He was, and... Photo-4157746.56462 - Times Union

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Toby Keith – “Boomtown:”

This 1994 release is the second album from the Ford truck-drivin’, George W. Bush-supportin’ singer, and includes “Big Ol’ Truck.” It also had other hit singles: “Who’s That Man,” “Upstairs Downtown,” and “You Ain’t Much Fun.” (Album cover)

This second studio album by the modern country legend included “Indian Outlaw,” and “Don’t Take the Girl.” Chances are if you’re a big-time country fan you know someone who can sing the words to that last ballad, which also hit the pop charts. (Album cover)

This was the 13-track debut album that included “Forever,” “Walk Away,” and “Waiting on an Angel.” It also had a hidden track after the last track, “I’ll Rise.” It didn’t do well on the U.S. charts, but Harper has gained a considerable following here. The record went to No. 11 on the French Albums Chart in 1998. (Album cover)

Ben Harper – “Welcome to the Cruel World:” This was the... Photo-4157752.56462 - Times Union

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The Lion King Soundtrack

Remember “Hakuna Matata?” How about “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” or “Circle of Life?” The Elton John tracks helped the soundtrack go platinum three times in Eurpoe and the record sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. (Album cover)

This was the band’s eighth album, but included one of their biggest hits, “Bull in the Heather.” The record went to No. 13 in the U.S. on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and hit No. 10 on the UK Albums Chart. (Album cover)

This was the band’s first official studio release that helped lead to the mid-90s swing craze. This record had a cover of “Route 66” and others - it was a later album that had “Jump Jive and Wail.” (Album cover)

This second studio album by the Irish band debuted in 1994 and was another MTV favorite with Zombie. It has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. (Album cover)

Cranberries - No Need To Argue:

This second studio album by the Irish band debuted in 1994 and was another MTV favorite with Zombie. It has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide. (Album cover)

Cranberries - No Need To Argue: This second studio album by... Photo-4157760.56462 - Times Union

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Garth Brooks – “The Hits:”

OK, this was a compilation. But remember: it was 1994 and CD burners weren’t common for another five years at least. This debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, probably in part because people didn’t want to hassle their old mixed cassette tape. (Album cover)

The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Latin Regional Mexican Albums and Top Latin Albums chart, and went on to sell more than 2 million copies in the United States. Selena was shot to death the in March 1995 at age 23. (Album cover)

I know, I know. But Yanni cleaned house financially in 1994 The video of this performance spent 229 weeks on Billboard’s “Top Music Video” charts and was nominated for an Emmy. The album also sold millions of copies. (Album cover)